Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

In March 2018, the City of Lethbridge Community Social Development (CSD) Business Unit launched a Strategic Planning Initiative that will provide the comprehensive research-based social assessment required to identify Lethbridge’s priority social issues, identify Lethbridge’s range of social supports and services, bring this information to community, and inform the revisions of the City’s CSD’s 5 Year strategic plan. Project completion is targeted for early 2019, and will support the development of the City of Lethbridge 2019-20 CBO Service Delivery Plan. The speakers will outline what priorities are important for the City of Lethbridge in terms of Community Social Development and as well, about the trends throughout Alberta, and what the pressure points on communities look like on a broader scale. They will share the Lethbridge map of social assets and services currently in development, and ask the audience to share their perspectives on social challenges and potential solutions. Speakers: Dr. Alina Turner, Kimberly Lyall and Michael Boh Alina is recognized as a leading researcher and thinker on social issues with proven implementation results. Her work on system planning is recognized as a leading practice and often called upon as a model across communities. Her drive and passion for this work is grounded in her lived experience of the social issues she continues to challenge in her professional work. Alina is a Fellow at The School of Public Policy, University of Calgary and serves on HomeSpace's Board of Directors as Chair of the Governance Committee. She recently joined the Alberta Rural Development Rural Advisory Board on housing and homelessness. Kimberly is a visionary business leader who’s able to inspire and motivate, and who faces adversity with determination. Her corporate experience includes extensive work in tourism marketing and development, not-for-profit organization management, business consultation and community development. Her strengths are in strategic planning, communications, and sustainable development. She has managed several award-winnig projects including the Coyote Flats Oral History Project. In addition to consulting Kimberly is a motivational speaker, and an instructor for Lethbridge College Corporate and Continuing Education. Kimberly was named a Lethbridge YWCA Young Woman of Distinction in 2000. Michael has been an engineer with the City of Lethbridge for nearly a decade since returning with his family to his hometown of Lethbridge. Michael began work in the Infrastructure Department before ultimately moving to Community Services where, as a Project Engineer, he currently leads and supports various Community Services Projects and initiatives, including the Lethbridge Asset Mapping Project. Michael’s passion for the community of Lethbridge extends into his volunteer work, such as Project Management of École Agnes Davidson’s Dragon Park, Lethbridge’s largest playground, as well as past and present seats on various community boards such as the Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club. Moderator: Terry Shillington Date: Thursday, Nov 15, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

It can be argued there are Polite Crimes versus Impolite Crimes, Visible Crimes versus Invisible Crimes, and Crimes we can openly discuss, versus Crimes that cannot be discussed. Some crimes we intentionally ignore and instead blame the victims. Twice recently, the speaker heard the quote, “We cannot arrest our way out of the addiction problems in Southern Alberta”, once by the Chief of Police and recently repeated by an emergency room physician speaking to SACPA. It could be said that "society doesn’t die because we can’t arrest all the criminals at the bottom, rather, society dies because we rarely arrest any criminals at the top." The speaker will follow that analogy and connect some dots between social and mental stress, illness, addiction, and corporate power or capitalism's contribution to the problems. This talk will focus upon hidden systemic financial crime that regulators (and polite society) are unwilling or unable to discuss, and the “trickle down” effect upon society. Speaker: Larry Elford Larry worked inside the investment industry from 1984 to 2004 and has since testified as an expert to four legislative/parliamentary committees on Finance, Justice and Human Rights. In 2009, he produced a documentary film about the unique violence of systemic white collar crime. It is titled “Breach of Trust”. In 2018 he published a non-fiction book, “About Your Financial Murder”, which described hidden financial industry practices which serve to unjustly enrich corporations, while harming the public. The book outlines specific, hidden harms to society roughly equivalent to the financial harm done by all measured crimes in the land. Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, Nov 8, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

It can be argued there are Polite Crimes versus Impolite Crimes, Visible Crimes versus Invisible Crimes, and Crimes we can openly discuss, versus Crimes that cannot be discussed. Some crimes we intentionally ignore and instead blame the victims. Twice recently, the speaker heard the quote, “We cannot arrest our way out of the addiction problems in Southern Alberta”, once by the Chief of Police and recently repeated by an emergency room physician speaking to SACPA. It could be said that "society doesn’t die because we can’t arrest all the criminals at the bottom, rather, society dies because we rarely arrest any criminals at the top." The speaker will follow that analogy and connect some dots between social and mental stress, illness, addiction, and corporate power or capitalism's contribution to the problems. This talk will focus upon hidden systemic financial crime that regulators (and polite society) are unwilling or unable to discuss, and the “trickle down” effect upon society. Speaker: Larry Elford Larry worked inside the investment industry from 1984 to 2004 and has since testified as an expert to four legislative/parliamentary committees on Finance, Justice and Human Rights. In 2009, he produced a documentary film about the unique violence of systemic white collar crime. It is titled “Breach of Trust”. In 2018 he published a non-fiction book, “About Your Financial Murder”, which described hidden financial industry practices which serve to unjustly enrich corporations, while harming the public. The book outlines specific, hidden harms to society roughly equivalent to the financial harm done by all measured crimes in the land. Moderator: Austin Fennell Date: Thursday, Nov 8, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

Conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy or the ex-gay movement, is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation from queer (used here as an umbrella term for members of the LGBTQ+ rainbow) to heterosexual using psychological, physical, and/or spiritual interventions. Examples of this range from ‘talk therapy,’ to, on the extreme end, rape. Historically, lobotomies and electroshock treatments were utilized, among others. To date, only the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba—by legal statute and health regulation, respectively—have made any effort to ban conversion therapy in Canada. The City of Vancouver, in early 2018, also banned the practice within city limits, becoming the first Canadian city to do so. Speakers: Devon Hargreaves and Jenn Takahashi Devon Heargreaves is a leader in the not for profit sector, expert in marketing, and a representative for an international company. His talents and interests are varied; from LGBTQIA+ visibility to mental health and student advocacy, to having worked as campaign manager in municipal politics or serving the needs of those with special needs, I am passionate about whatever I put my hands to. Devon is the host of YQL ExPress on Jess fm, Co-President of the YQueerL Society for Change, and Immediate past Chair of Lethbridge Pride Fest. Jenn Takahashi is the Administrative Director of Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) a student-funded, student-directed, not-for-profit organization providing resources for undergraduate students to engage with environmental and social justice issues. She is committed to supporting and growing the community through volunteering and social activism. In her spare time Jenn is often found on secondary highways late at night chasing the Aurora. One of her favorite things about living in southern Alberta is the changing weather and brilliant night skies. Moderator: Kari Tanaki Date: Thursday, Nov 1, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

Conversion therapy, sometimes referred to as reparative therapy or the ex-gay movement, is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual’s sexual orientation from queer (used here as an umbrella term for members of the LGBTQ+ rainbow) to heterosexual using psychological, physical, and/or spiritual interventions. Examples of this range from ‘talk therapy,’ to, on the extreme end, rape. Historically, lobotomies and electroshock treatments were utilized, among others. To date, only the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba—by legal statute and health regulation, respectively—have made any effort to ban conversion therapy in Canada. The City of Vancouver, in early 2018, also banned the practice within city limits, becoming the first Canadian city to do so. Speakers: Devon Hargreaves and Jenn Takahashi Devon Heargreaves is a leader in the not for profit sector, expert in marketing, and a representative for an international company. His talents and interests are varied; from LGBTQIA+ visibility to mental health and student advocacy, to having worked as campaign manager in municipal politics or serving the needs of those with special needs, I am passionate about whatever I put my hands to. Devon is the host of YQL ExPress on Jess fm, Co-President of the YQueerL Society for Change, and Immediate past Chair of Lethbridge Pride Fest. Jenn Takahashi is the Administrative Director of Lethbridge Public Interest Research Group (LPIRG) a student-funded, student-directed, not-for-profit organization providing resources for undergraduate students to engage with environmental and social justice issues. She is committed to supporting and growing the community through volunteering and social activism. In her spare time Jenn is often found on secondary highways late at night chasing the Aurora. One of her favorite things about living in southern Alberta is the changing weather and brilliant night skies. Moderator: Kari Tanaki Date: Thursday, Nov 1, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required Visit the SACPA website: http://www.sacpa.ca

The last minute new trade agreement among Mexico, Canada and the United States, the so-called USMCA, made headlines in late September. But beneath those headlines, the difference the agreement could mean for those countries are likely to be minimal. The difficult negotiating issues – Canada’s dairy market/supply management, intellectual property, and the dispute settlement mechanism between member countries as well as investors - have been controversial since the inception of NAFTA in 1994 and even earlier It’s not uncommon for politicians to rebrand existing trade deals, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that President Trump wanted to call the new agreement USMCA. While little has changed, it’s far more eye-catching to announce a brand-new agreement, rather than to work within the confines of existing agreements. Signing ceremonies and new acronyms stick in voters’ minds longer than simply tinkering with an agreement that already is in place—even if the new agreement only includes minor changes. How will Canada’s dairy farmers and auto workers be affected by the new deal? Was dispute settlement and intellectual property protected? And could the agreement limit Canada’s ability to negotiate trade deal with other nations, for example China? The speaker will draw attention to what sets apart USMCA from NAFTA and speculate on the long term consequences of the agreement. Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt). Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada. Moderator: Martin Heavy Head Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

The last minute new trade agreement among Mexico, Canada and the United States, the so-called USMCA, made headlines in late September. But beneath those headlines, the difference the agreement could mean for those countries are likely to be minimal. The difficult negotiating issues – Canada’s dairy market/supply management, intellectual property, and the dispute settlement mechanism between member countries as well as investors - have been controversial since the inception of NAFTA in 1994 and even earlier It’s not uncommon for politicians to rebrand existing trade deals, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone that President Trump wanted to call the new agreement USMCA. While little has changed, it’s far more eye-catching to announce a brand-new agreement, rather than to work within the confines of existing agreements. Signing ceremonies and new acronyms stick in voters’ minds longer than simply tinkering with an agreement that already is in place—even if the new agreement only includes minor changes. How will Canada’s dairy farmers and auto workers be affected by the new deal? Was dispute settlement and intellectual property protected? And could the agreement limit Canada’s ability to negotiate trade deal with other nations, for example China? The speaker will draw attention to what sets apart USMCA from NAFTA and speculate on the long term consequences of the agreement. Speaker: Dr. Chris Kukucha Christopher J. Kukucha is a professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Lethbridge. He is the author of The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy and a co-editor of several books including The Harper Era in Canadian Foreign Policy (Adam Chapnick), International Political Economy (Greg Anderson), and the third edition of Readings in Canadian Foreign Policy (Duane Bratt). Chris also served as the William J. Fulbright Research Chair in Canadian Studies at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh) and is a past President of the International Studies Association of Canada. Moderator: Martin Heavy Head Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with desert & coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

With 260 km/h maximum sustained wind speeds, Category 5 Hurricane Maria tore through Dominica on September 18, 2017, causing mass destruction and directly affecting some 73,000 people (the entire population). Sixty-five deaths in Dominica were attributed to Hurricane Maria. Critical infrastructure - including schools, hospitals, electrical lines, houses, public buildings and government offices, and private structures key to the economy and people’s livelihoods - was significantly damaged. Beyond the immediate impact in Dominica, the 2017 hurricane season highlighted existing gaps in the overall disaster preparedness and resilience levels - as well as forcing queries on north/south responsibilities. Mr. Hypolite and his school, Castle Bruce Secondary School, survived Maria – the tenth most intensive Atlantic hurricane on record. However, the results and challenges, including on the education system, were dramatic. Not only were buildings fully lost or significantly damaged, virtually all educational resources were consumed by Maria and its aftermath. The IT for Dominica Foundation (www.itfordominica.com), an Alberta-based program has been working with the Miinstry of Education in the Commonwealth of Dominica for nearly 20 years supporting educators in integrating information technology (IT) into classroom settings. This has occurred through provision of technologies (in the early 2000s), installation, technical supports, and professional development. The program has recently increased its efforts in the interest of student learning post Hurricane Maria. Hurricane Maria has highlighted key questions, “What is our responsibility as northern neighbours – and possibly as creators of global warming/climate change – in supporting southern neighbours who face the wrath of warming ocean temperatures?” The speakers will address the issues at hand. Speakers: Steve Hypolite and Maurice Hollingsworth Steve Hypolite is Principal of Castle Bruce Secondary School, one of fifteen secondary schools in the Commonwealth of Dominica. His progressive approaches to school leadership has led to implementing change through UNICEF’s Child Friendly School (CFS) and he is now working closely with the IT for Dominica Foundation and the Alberta Technology Leaders in Education. Mr Hypolite hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration (UWI 2010) and a Master Degree in Educational Leadership (UWI 2016). Maurice Hollingsworth completed his Ph.D. in information technology in education and has worked throughout the education system - K-12 teacher, district administrator, provincial advisor and university faculty member - bringing meaning to learning technologies in classrooms. He is President of the IT for Dominca Foundation and has led IT for Dominica for the past 19 years. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

With 260 km/h maximum sustained wind speeds, Category 5 Hurricane Maria tore through Dominica on September 18, 2017, causing mass destruction and directly affecting some 73,000 people (the entire population). Sixty-five deaths in Dominica were attributed to Hurricane Maria. Critical infrastructure - including schools, hospitals, electrical lines, houses, public buildings and government offices, and private structures key to the economy and people’s livelihoods - was significantly damaged. Beyond the immediate impact in Dominica, the 2017 hurricane season highlighted existing gaps in the overall disaster preparedness and resilience levels - as well as forcing queries on north/south responsibilities. Mr. Hypolite and his school, Castle Bruce Secondary School, survived Maria – the tenth most intensive Atlantic hurricane on record. However, the results and challenges, including on the education system, were dramatic. Not only were buildings fully lost or significantly damaged, virtually all educational resources were consumed by Maria and its aftermath. The IT for Dominica Foundation (www.itfordominica.com), an Alberta-based program has been working with the Miinstry of Education in the Commonwealth of Dominica for nearly 20 years supporting educators in integrating information technology (IT) into classroom settings. This has occurred through provision of technologies (in the early 2000s), installation, technical supports, and professional development. The program has recently increased its efforts in the interest of student learning post Hurricane Maria. Hurricane Maria has highlighted key questions, “What is our responsibility as northern neighbours – and possibly as creators of global warming/climate change – in supporting southern neighbours who face the wrath of warming ocean temperatures?” The speakers will address the issues at hand. Speakers: Steve Hypolite and Maurice Hollingsworth Steve Hypolite is Principal of Castle Bruce Secondary School, one of fifteen secondary schools in the Commonwealth of Dominica. His progressive approaches to school leadership has led to implementing change through UNICEF’s Child Friendly School (CFS) and he is now working closely with the IT for Dominica Foundation and the Alberta Technology Leaders in Education. Mr Hypolite hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Administration (UWI 2010) and a Master Degree in Educational Leadership (UWI 2016). Maurice Hollingsworth completed his Ph.D. in information technology in education and has worked throughout the education system - K-12 teacher, district administrator, provincial advisor and university faculty member - bringing meaning to learning technologies in classrooms. He is President of the IT for Dominca Foundation and has led IT for Dominica for the past 19 years. Moderator: Bev Muendel-Atherstone Date: Thursday, October 18, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required

What will it take to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict? Why did the peace negotiations fail? Is the Palestine-Israel conflict beyond a negotiated solution? Is it time for a new approach? In this talk, Mark Ayyash will give the history of the conflict and Fuad Abboud will talk about Israeli law and how it has impacted the Palestinians. During more than twenty years of peace negotiations, not much have been accomplished. Through it all, Israeli settlements has escalated on occupied land and many Palestinian political adversaries are held behind bars. Palestinian rights – including Palestinian refugees’ right to return – are no closer to implementation. Arguably, conditions in the Gaza Strip can be likened to a prison camp with Israel controlling access from land, sea and air. It can also be argued that Jews for centuries have been subjected to Anti-Semitic sentiments all over the world, but particulary in Europe, which has created a deep felt fear. Such Jewish fear is real and has been even more deeply felt since the Pogroms and the Holocaust and as such, Israel feels the need to exert its power on anyone standing in their way. This sad reality will have to be addressed in the context of negotiating for peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Speakers: Fuad Abboud and Mark Ayyash Fuad Abboud was born in Haifa, Palestine. His family fled to Lebanon during the fighting in 1948 and grew up as a Refugee in Lebanon. He studied law at UBC and practiced law in Calgary until retirement. He lives in Calgary. Mark Ayyash is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the John de Chastelain Peace Studies Initiative at Mount Royal University. He teaches and writes in the areas of social and political theory, the study of violence, decolonial movements, as well as culture and politics in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the Palestinian-Israeli struggle. He has published several academic articles and has a co-edited book on Protests and Generations. His forthcoming book is titled A Hermeneutics of Violence. In his capacity as Director of Peace Studies, Mark oversees and organizes the Annual Calgary Peace Prize Ceremony. Moderator: Trevor Page Date: Thursday, October 11, 2018 Time: Doors open 11:30 am, Presentation 12 noon, buffet lunch 12:30 pm, Q&A 1 – 1:30 pm Location: Royal Canadian Legion (north door) 324 Mayor Magrath Dr. S. Lethbridge Cost: $14 buffet lunch with dessert/coffee/tea/juice or $2 coffee/tea/juice. RSVP not required